ANNEX 1
Phase 2 Project Synopsis (Annex to Access & Benefit Sharing
Agreement)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR SEEDS FOR LIFE PHASE 2 PROJECT
1.
BACKGROUND AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF SEEDS FOR LIFE PHASE 1 PROJECT
1.1 Since September 23rd 2000, the following institutes (the “Partners”) have worked together
through the “Seeds for Life” project (the “phase 1 project”).
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The National Museums of Kenya (“NMK”);
The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (“KARI”) represented by the National
Genebank of Kenya (“GBK”);
The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (“KEFRI”) represented by Kenya Forestry
Seed Centre (“KFSC”);
The Forest Department (“FD”) of the Ministry of Environment and Natural
Resources (“MENR”);
The Kenya Wildlife Service (“KWS”); and
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (“RBG Kew”).
1.2 The main objective of the phase 1 project was the “Conservation of indigenous plants
from the ASALs”.
1.3 Implementation of the 3-year phase 1 project has produced the following key results:
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-
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2.
1 PhD student trained (on-going);
1 MSc. Student trained (on-going);
The completion of 3 International Diplomas in “Plant Conservation Techniques”
at RBG Kew;
The completion of 7 Technical Diplomas in “Conservation & Utilisation of Plant
Genetic Resources” at Maseno University;
Technical Diplomas in support of plant conservation work at Kenya
Polytechnic, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agricultural Technology (1) and
Kenya School of Professional Studies (1);
The completion of 5 research attachments to RBG Kew;
The completion of 3 technical attachments to RBG Kew;
The delivery of equipment and vehicles to Kenyan Partners;
Field collection, ex-situ conservation and documentation of 1,102 accessions
covering 700 species new to the collections at the National Genebank of
Kenya;
Duplicate storage of seed material and herbarium specimens at RBG Kew
3 Peer reviewed scientific papers in press;
49 internal project reports;
5 in-country workshops;
Database of endemic plant species of Kenya in support of developing
collection priorities;
A completed study on the constraints to on-farm conservation and utilisation of
PGR in three focal Districts.
PHASE 1 PROJECT EVELUATION
2.1
As agreed in the phase 1 project Documentation, a Project External Evaluation
Committee (PEEC) was appointed by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to:
“Measure to what degree the project is addressing the National needs and priorities
for PGR conservation.”
2.2
Through a mutually agreed project review process and the employment of a 2-person
Project Evaluation Team (PET). The following key recommendation has been made by the
PEEC:
“The implementation of the project in phase 1 has been a success based on
achievements against targets. Subsequent project phase of the project is needed for
intended impacts to be realised. The review strongly recommends continuation into
phase 2”
2.3 In order to enhance the effectiveness of the project in achieving its stated objective, 16
additional recommendations have been presented and are annexed to the main Phase 2
Project documentation.
2.4 Consequently, the Partners have developed another six (6) year second phase of the
Seeds for Life Project (the “Project”). The activities of the Project respond directly to the
recommendations of the PET/PEEC and will ensure that the achievements and impact
made during the first phase of the Project are sustained.
2.5 This Project Executive Summary document, which has been drafted jointly by all the
Partners, sets out the overall Project rationale, the outputs and activities together with the
associated benefit-sharing and capacity building, and a Project management structure
agreed between the Partners to ensure effective Project implementation. It is a working
document and will be modified as the Project progresses.
3.
PHASE 2 PROJECT CONTEXT
3.1 The Project continues to address the following National Legislation and Action Plans:
The Guiding Principles of the 1999 National Environmental Management and
Co-ordination Act and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2000
as they relate to the need to “prescribe measures for the conservation of
biological resources ex situ especially for those species threatened with
extinction” and to “increase [our] capacity for ex-situ conservation”, by
“creating synergies among on-going activities” through the recognition of the
importance of “indispensable national, regional and international co-operation”
.
3.2 Furthermore, the Project’s long term and short term objectives directly address the
“general objectives” of the NBSAP, that is:
a. The enhancement of ex situ and in situ conservation and sustainable utilisation of
plant genetic resources indigenous to Kenya; and
b. The enhancement of technical and scientific co-operation nationally and
internationally, including the exchange of information, in support of biodiversity
conservation.
3.3 The Project continues to address the following International Conventions:

Decision 23 of COP 5 (May 2000) which establishes a work programme for
Dryland Biodiversity, thereby recognising the importance of ASAL
conservation initiatives such as the Seeds for Life project;

Decision VI/9 of COP 6 (April 2002) on Global Strategy for Plant Conservation
target (viii) which inter alia aims to have 60 per cent of threatened plant species
in accessible ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin.
3.4 The Project derives synergy from the RBG Kew global initiative known as the Millennium
Seed Bank Project (the “MSBP”), which aims to conserve 10% of the worlds flowering
plant species through long term ex-situ conservation and provides for the development of
collaborative projects between RBG Kew, partner countries and partner institutions to
pursue this conservation objective.
4.
PHASE 2 PROJECT AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
4.1 Kenya’s land area consists of approximately 80% Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (“ASAL”).
4.2 The aim of the Project is the conservation of indigenous plants primarily from the ASAL
through, inter alia:
a.
b.
c.
d.
5.
The conducting of joint expeditions to collect seeds and corresponding herbarium
material in ASALs by the Partners in an ecologically sustainable manner;
The storage and taxonomic verification of seed collections and voucher herbarium
specimens in Kenya. The seeds and associated herbarium specimens will be duplicated
and transferred to the United Kingdom for storage in the Millennium Seed Bank and
accession to the RBG Kew herbarium for long-term conservation and safe keeping;
The conducting of seed studies upon the seed collections and of herbarium studies upon
the voucher specimens to determine their viability and to enable long-term conservation;
and
The establishment of community seed centres and indigenous species demonstration
plantings in three focal districts.
PHASE 2 PROJECT OUTPUTS
The Partners have identified the following key Project outputs and activities over the 6 year
Project period:
a. Capacity of communities and their partners to conserve and use PGR improved.
The Project will train target communities on aspects of seed collection, handling and
storage and sustainable natural resources management. Relevant training will also be
supported in Partner institutions. The Project will support the enhancement of
partnerships and linkages amongst communities, institutions and projects for
conservation through use of indigenous PGR.
b. In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of priority plant diversity in drylands enhanced.
The Project will support the establishment of community seed centres, nurseries and
demonstration planting of indigenous species. The Partners will conserve germplasm by
undertaking seed collecting missions; store seed collections in Kenyan ex situ facilities,
such as the National Genebank of Kenya; duplicate collections at the RBG Kew seed
bank for long-term conservation and safe-keeping; carry out viability testing of stored
seed through germination experiments following standard seed bank management
protocols; carry out taxonomic verification and seed studies to support development of
long term seed banking protocols.
c. Uptake of information and adoption of appropriate technologies for PGR
conservation enhanced. There will be dissemination of information to communities via
community seed centres in the most appropriate means to meet local needs. The Project
will review traditional practices of seed handling and improve selected PGR conservation
technologies for the benefit of target communities.
6.
BENEFIT-SHARING
The Partners have identified the following mutually acceptable benefit-sharing and capacity
building activities over the next six years of the Project:
a. Technical and Academic Training Programme for Kenyan Partners:
- Post Graduate Studies at Kenyan Universities (1 M.Phil, 1 PhD);
- Undergraduate studies at Kenyan Universities (1 BSc.);
- PGR conservation and utilisation diploma course in Kenya (5 places);
- The RBG Kew International Diploma in Plant Conservation Techniques (1 place);
- Technical and research attachments at RBG Kew (7 places);
- International workshops relevant to Project outputs and activities (3 places);
- 3 focused in-country workshops relevant to Project outputs and activities; and
- Local training for Partner staff in short thematic technical courses (3 places).
b. The Provision of Equipment:
In order to facilitate the Project activities, RBG Kew will procure and provide
appropriate equipment.
c. Community Benefits:
Addressing the findings in the phase 1 project and in light of the recommendations by
the PET/PEEC, the Project proposes to provide tangible community benefits, for
example:
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1 Community seed centre in each of the 3 focal districts;
Support to existing community nursery for each of the community seed centre;
1 demonstration planting of indigenous species on community selected degraded
areas;
1 annotated plant species inventory from selected priority sites;
3 selected and or improved PGR conservation technologies;
Training and extension materials on seed collection, processing and handling, and
sustainable natural resource management;
Compensation to local communities for collection of seed material protected under
local community traditional interests, when requested and as appropriate;
Casual employment on collecting field trips, where possible.
7.
COLLECTING CRITERIA: AREAS AND SPECIES
7.1
The Project will continue to focus on dryland plant diversity. Consequently, the seed
collecting will be undertaken mainly in those areas with agro-climatic characteristics
of ASALs.
7.2
Given the achievements in the phase 1 project with respect to providing a preliminary
list of priority species for collection, the Project is now able to target species of high
conservation and utilitarian value. Recognising that this list will be further developed
and refined during the Project, the Partners aim to ensure that 30% of all new species
collections will be from this priority list.
8.
PHASE
EVALUATION
2:
PROJECT
IMPLEMENTATION,
REPORTING
MONITORING
&
8.1 The existing project management structure, ex-officio membership and the Project Officer
will continue to be deployed to discharge their respective responsibilities as defined in the
first phase project.
8.2 OVIGMs will prepare biannual monitoring reports which will be collated by the PO. The
biannual monitoring report will consist of a report on previous 6-month workplan against
OVIs, biannual account and a biannual forward work plan and budget. The PMG will have
the responsibility of ensuring that the respective institutions are kept abreast of the
progress of the project and forwarding reports to the PEEC for purposes of evaluation.
8.3 The tenure of the PEEC as defined in the first project phase will be renewed by the
Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Additionally, a two-person evaluation
team (PET) will continue to be available to assist the PEEC in carrying out project
evaluation. The PEEC will forward their evaluation report to the MENR.
8.4 The relational aspect of the different Project structures is represented in the following
figure:
M.E.N.R.
PET
PEEC
PROJECT EVALUATION
PROJECT MONITORING
PMG
PROJECT
OFFICER
OVIGM
OVIGM
OVIGM
OVIGM
OVIGM
FD
KARI
KEFRI
KWS
NMK
FD – Team
9.
KARI –
Team
KEFRI Team
KWS –
Team
NMK Team
PHASE 2: PROJECT FINANCE
9.1
Funding for the 6 year Phase 2 Project will come through the RBG, Kew MSBP, the
major donor to which is the UK Millennium Commission. It will, at all times, be subject to the
satisfactory achievement of stated collection targets in terms of numbers of species
conserved through long-term conservation collections of seeds.
9.2
The Partners have identified an indicative budget for the second phase project of
£441,608.00. In order to implement the Project set out above, this indicative budget will be
apportioned as follows: KSh.41,824,980 will be spent in-country (calculated at the current
exchange rate of KSh115 (September 2003)) and £77,913 will be spent in the UK. This
indicative budget will be subject to review as the Project progresses.
9.3
The funding cycle will be on a six monthly basis and will be driven by biannual
progress reports. Requests for funding will be co-ordinated by the Project Officer who will
forward such requests to the Project Management Group for approval and onward submission
to RBG Kew for release of funds.
10.
GOVERNMENT OF KENYA PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT
The Government of Kenya and RBG Kew have entered into a six (6) year extension to the
Material Transfer Agreement dated 14th September 2000 through which, inter alia, the
Government of Kenya, represented by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources,
acting in accordance with Article 15 of the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity, has given
its prior informed consent and approval to the Project summarised above.
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